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Why Did Mohammed Get So

Many Wives?
July 2008 version

Introduction
Muslims will tell you a Muslim man can have up to four wives at a time, based on
Sura 4:3. Strictly speaking that is not the complete truth, as a Muslim can also have
unlimited concubines and can have sex with "women their right hands possess".
(Sura 23:5-6; 33:50,52; 4:24; Sura 70:29-30). Regardless, though, Mohammed
recited a verse in the Qur’an (Sura 33:50) that made an exception for one individual:
himself. Why is that?

‘Aisha remarked, "It seems to me that your Lord hastens to satisfy your desire."
Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 8 no.3453-3454 p.748-749.

On the other hand, a Muslim told me that every marriage was for humanitarian or
alliance purposes. ‘Aisha and some wives were daughters of powerful chiefs
Mohammed need the support of. Others such widows, "taken care of" by Mohammed
after their previous husband died. I asked, incredulously, was the Muslim really
taught that every marriage was for those reasons? When he said "yes", then I said,
"what about Safiyah and Zainab bint Jahsh? Since he was not aware of those, other
Muslims (as well as non-Muslims) might not be either. As to the accuracy of the
sources of my information, it all comes from either the Qur’an itself or authoritative
hadiths of Sunni Islam.
 Mohammed’s Wives
Here is a list of wives of Mohammed by the Muslim scholar Ali Dashti. He probably
based much of this on an earlier list in the History of al-Tabari vol.9 p.126-241. It
should be mentioned that scholars and Hadiths are not entirely agreed on the wives
of Mohammed. For example some hadiths (not Bukhari or Sahih Muslim) mention a
couple of wives of Mohammed that he divorced, and these are not shown here.
Nonetheless, Ali Dashti’s list, while perhaps not entirely agreed upon as being
comprehensive, shows many of the wives. Following this is the evidence from the
hadiths, independent of Ali Dashti, for these relationships.
1. Khadija/Khadijah bint Khuwailid/Khywaylid - died first
2. Sauda/Sawda bint Zam’a
3. 'Aisha/Aesha/’A’ishah - 8 to 9 yrs old, 2nd wife
'Aisha's Slaves
'Aisha and the Battle of the Camel
4. Omm/’Umm Salama/Salamah
5. Hafsa/Hafsah
6. Zaynab/Zainab of Jahsh
7. Juwairiya/Jowayriya bint Harith (captive)

9. Safiya/Safiyya bint Huyai/Huyayy bint Akhtab (captive)

10. Maymuna/Maimuna of Hareth
11. Fatima/Fatema/Fatimah (briefly)
12. Hend/Hind (widow)
13. Asma of Saba (Sana bint Asma')
14. Zaynab of Khozayma
15. Habla?
16. Divorced Asma of Noman / bint al-Nu’man
slaves / concubines 
17. Mary the Copt/Christian
18. Rayhana/Raihana/Rayhanah bint Zayd/Zaid
uncertain relationship -
19. Divorced Omm Sharik
20. Maymuna/Maimuna (slave girl?)
21. Zaynab/Zainab the third?
22. Khawla / Khawlah
23. Divorced Mulaykah bint Dawud
24. Divorced al-Shanba’ bint ‘Amr
25. Divorced al-‘Aliyyah
26. Divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid
27. Divorced an Unnamed Woman
28. Qutaylah bint Qays (died right away)
29. Sana bint Sufyan
30. Sharaf bint Khalifah
31. Women of Mohammed’s Right Hand
Mohammed Turned Some Women Down
Some Women Turned Mohammed Down
 Ali Dashti missed at least nine possible other wives.

Mohammed married 15 women and consummated his marriages with 13. (al-Tabari
vol.9 p.126-127)

Bukhari vol.1 Book 5 ch.25 no.282 p.172-173 said that [at one time] Mohammed had
nine wives.

Following is a short description of the hadiths and early Muslim historians say about
the wives of Mohammed.

1. Khadija/Khadijah
(pronounced ka-DI-ja) bint Khuwailid/Khuwaylid Sahih Muslim vol.4 book 29
no.5971-5972 p.1297 died three years before 'A'isha married Mohammed. She is
mentioned in Bukhari vol.5 book 58 no.164,165 p.103.

The full name of Mohammed’s first wife was Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid bin
Asad bin. ‘Abd al-‘Uzza bin Qusayy. al-Tabari vol.39 p.3

Mohammed was 20-some years old when he married Khadijah, a widow. al-Tabari
vol.9 p.127.

‘Aisha says that Khadija took Mohammed to a Christian convert who used to read the
Gospels in Arabic. Bukhari vol.4 book 55 ch.17 no.605 p.395

A’isha was jealous of Khadija. "On that, the Prophet remembered the way Khadija
used to ask permission, and that upset him. He said, ‘O Allah! Hala!’ So I [A’isha]
became jealous and said, ‘What makes you remember an old woman amongst the
old women of Quraish an old woman (with a teethless mouth) of red gums who died
long ago, and in whose place Allah has given you somebody better than her?’"
Bukhari vol.5 book 58 no.168 p.105

2. Sauda/Sawda bint Zam'a/Zam’ah

Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 8 no.3451 p.747; Bukhari vol.3 book 34 ch.4 no.269 p.154;
vol.3 no.853 p.29; Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 7 no.2958 p.651; Sahih Muslim vol.2
footnote 1918 p.748 says that probably ‘Aisha was married to Mohammed before
Sauda, but ‘Aisha did not enter Mohammed’s house until after Sauda was married to
Mohammed.

There is disagreement about whether Mohammed consummated the marriage with

Sauda or A’isha next, but al-Tabari vol.9 p.128-129 says it was Sauda.

Sauda’s ex-husband, al-Sakran b. ‘Amr b. ‘Abd Shams became a Christian in

Abyssinia and died there. al-Tabari vol.9 p.128

Physically, ‘Aisha called Sauda "a fat huge lady". Bukhari vol.6 book 60 ch.241
no.318 p.300

When Sauda was old she was afraid Mohammed would divorce her, so she gave her
turn to ‘A’isha. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2130 p.572

Sauda is also mentioned in al-Tabari vol.39 p.169.

3. 'A’isha
A’isha was Abu Bakr’s daughter. Her moth was named Umm Ruman according to al-
Tabari vol.9 p.129. She married Mohammed when she was (six) 6 years old, went to
his house when (nine) 9. Bukhari vol.7 book 62 ch.60 no.88 p.65; Sahih Muslim vol.2
book 8 no.3309,3310,3311 p.715,716

Contrary to this marriage being important for political reasons, Abu Bakr was the first
convert to Islam.

This wife of Mohammed is mentioned in many places, including Sahih Muslim vol.1
book 4 no.1694 p.372; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1176 p.305; vol.1 no.1268 p.335; vol.1
no.1330 p.350; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1336 p.351; vol.1 no.1419 p.373; vol.2 no.2382
p.654.

‘Aisha played with dolls while Mohammed was present. Sahih Muslim vol.4 book 29
no.5981 p.1299

‘Aisha was 6 (or 7) years old when she was married, and the marriage was
consummated when she was nine years old. al-Tabari vol.9 p.130,131

A’isha was married when she was six years old, and nine when she went to
Mohammed’s house. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.1876 p.133

A’isha was seven years old when she married, nine years old when she lived with
Mohammed, and 18 years old when he died. (not Sahih) Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.1877
p.134

A rationale trying to explain why Mohammed married such a young girl is given in
Sahih Muslim vol.2 footnote 1859 p.715. It says that "it was some exceptional
circumstances that Hadrat ‘A’isha was married to the Prophet… The second point to
be noted is that Islam has laid down no age limit for puberty for it varies with
countries and races due to the climate, hereditary, physical and social conditions."
They also mention support from the disreputable Kinsey report on Sexual Behaviour
in the Human Female.

Mohammed himself once deliberately struck ‘Aisha "on the chest which caused me
pain", according to Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 4 ch.352 no.2127 p.462.

There was other discord too. One incident, started by A’isha was so bad, Mohammed
kept away from his wives for a month 29 days) Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2060 p.241. Ibn-i-
Majah vol.3 no.2063 p.243. This is the context of Sura 50:1.

A’isha’s Slaves

‘A’isha had at least one servant who cooked for her during the time of the delegation
from Banu’l Muntafiq. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.142 p.34

A’isha had a male Muslim slave she later freed named Abu Yunus. Sunan Nasa’i
vol.1 no.475 p.340

A’isha had a slave girl. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.371 p.96

Barirah was a female slave of A’isha’s, whom she later freed. Abu Dawud vol.2
no.2223 and footnote 1548 p.601

A’isha was quick-tempered too, striking the hand of a servant and breaking a bowl of
food from another wife for Mohammed. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.3560-3561 p.1011

‘A’isha had a strong, loud voice. al-Tabari vol.17 p.65

‘Aisha reluctantly freed many slaves due to a broken vow. "He [Ibn Az-Subair] sent
her [‘Aisha] ten slaves whom she manumitted [freed] as an expiation for (not keeping)
her vow. ‘Aisha manumitted more slaves for the same purpose till she manumitted
forty slaves. She said, ‘I wish I had specified what I would have done in case of not
fulfilling my vow when I made the vow, so that I might have done it easily.’"(1)
Footnote (1) says, "‘Aisha did not specify what she would do if she did not keep her
promise, this is why she manumitted so many slaves so that she might feel at ease
as to the adequacy of her expiation." Bukhari vol.4 book 56 ch.2 no.708 p.465.

Just how many slaves did ‘Aisha have? Or how much money did she have to buy
forty slaves? The hadiths do not say. The only two clue I have found are

1) Mohammed’s wives could command for tents to be set up. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3
no.1771 p.67.

2) One-fifth of the war booty went to the Muslim treasury, and Mohammed could take
of that for he and his wives. Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2347,2348; vol.2 footnote 1463
p.519; Bukhari vol.4 book 51 ch.80 no.153 p.99; vol.6 book 60 ch.297 no.407 p.379

A’isha and the Battle of the Camel

‘Aisha originally supported those who wanted to kill ‘Uthman. She claimed ‘Uthman
became a disbeliever. However, after ‘Uthman’s murder she changed her mind and
wanted to avenge ‘Uthman’s killers. Another Muslim called her to task for that. al-
Tabari vol.17 p.52-53

After this, Mu’awiyah had Mohammed bin Abu Bakr executed for murdering ‘Uthman,
then put his body in the carcass of a donkey, and then burned the donkey in 38 A.H..
A’isha mourned her half-brother greatly and made extra prayers for him. al-Tabari
vol.17 p.158

4. ‘Umm Salama
‘Umm Salama bint Abi Umayyah (discussing intimate things with the apostle) Sahih
Muslim vol.2 no.2455 p.540

Umm Salamah’s real name was Hind bint Abi Umayyah bin al-Mughirah bin ‘Abdallah
bin ‘Umar bin Makhzum. al-Tabari vol.9; p.133; vol.39 p.175.

Um/Umm Salaim/Salama (not said to be a wife) Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2992 p.656;
vol.2 no.3445 p.746; wife Bukhari vol.4 book 53 ch.4 no.333 p.216; Bukhari vol.7
book 62 ch.34 no.56 p.40. Ibn-i-Majah vol.2 no.1634 p.473; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.383
p.99. Mohammed was married to Umm Salama, widow of Abu Salama (died 4 A.H. in
Abyssinia). Al-Tabari vol.39 p.175. Umm Salama died when in 59 H. when she was
84 years old. Sahih Muslim vol.2 footnote 1218 p.435. Umm Salama was pregnant
when Mohammed married her, and her daughter was Zainab bint Abu Salama (Sahih
Muslim vol.2 no. 3539-3544 p.776-777. (This is the same girl as Zainab bint Umm
Salama)

This wife of Mohammed is mentioned in Abu Dawud vol.1 no.274 p.68; vol.3 no.4742
p.1332; vol.2 no.2382 p.654; Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.240 p.228; Ibn-i-Majah vol.3
no.1779 p.72; al-Tabari vol.17 p.207; al-Tabari vol.39 p.80

‘Umm Salamah had a son before she married Mohammed. Her son went with A’isha,
al-Zubayr, and Talhah. al-Tabari vol.17 p.42

Clients of Umm Salamah were Nabhan (=Abu Yahya) and Ma’in bin Ujayl(=Abu
Qudamah) al-Tabari vol.39 p.320

5. Hafsa/Hafsah
The daughter of ‘Umar bin Khattab is mentioned in Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2642
p.576; vol.2 no.2833 p.625; vol.2 no.3497 p.761; Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2448 p.675;
vol.3 no.5027 p.1402. She was the daughter of ‘Umar bin al-Khattab. She was the
18-year old widow of Khunais when she married Mohamed in 625 A.D. She was born
in 607 A.D., and died either 647/648, 661/662, or 665 A.D. She is also mentioned as
a wife in Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2086 p.258

After Hafsa’s husband died of wounds received at Uhud, Hafsa’s father thought of
her marrying ‘Uthman, but ‘Uthman declined because he knew Mohammed wanted to
marry her. They married in 3 A.H. She was four years older than ‘A’isha. Sunan
Nasa’i vol.1 #32 p.117. Thus Mohammed did not marry her just to provide for her.
Rather he married someone who otherwise would have been married to someone
else.

‘Umar told his daughter Hafsa not to be misled by ‘Aisha who is proud of her beauty
and Mohammed’s love for her. Bukhari vol.7 book 62 ch.106 no.145 p.108. Hafsa
said to ‘Aisha "I have never received any good from you!" Bukhari vol.9 book 92 ch.5
no.406 p.299-300

‘Umar said Mohammed divorced Hafsah (revocable divorce) and then took her back.
Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2276 p.619. According to Ibn Ishaq, Mohammed divorced Hafsa
but then took her back. al-Tabari vol.9 footnote 884 p.131.

"Yahya … from Malik from Muhammad ibn Abd ar-Rahman …that he heard that
Hafsa … killed one of her slave-girls who had used sorcery against her. She was a
mudabbara. Hafsa gave the order, and she was killed." Muwatta Malik 42.19.14

Hafsa ordered killed on of her slave girls that had used sorcery against her. Muwatta
Malik 43.19.4

Hafsa, wife of Mohammed, died when she was 60 years old. al-Tabari vol.39 p.174

6. Zainab/Zaynab bint Jahsh

Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2347 p.519; vol.2 no.3330 p.723,724; vol.2 no.3332 p.725;
vol.2 no.3494 p.760. Bukhari vol.3 book 33 ch.6 no.249 p.138; vol.3 no.829 p.512;
vol.4 no.6883 p.1493; Zainab's original name was "Barrah", but Mohammed changed
it to Zainab Bukhari vol.8 book 72 ch.108 no.212 p.137; Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4935
p.1377-1378. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1498 says Juwairyiha’s name used to be Barrah.

Sura 33:36-38 in the Qur’an says, "It is not for any believer, man or woman, when
God and His Messenger have decreed a matter, to have the choice in the affair.
Whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has gone astray into manifest error.
When you said to him whom Allah had blessed and you had favoured, ‘Keep your
wife to yourself, and fear Allah,’ and you were concealing within yourself what Allah
should reveal, fearing other men; and Allah has better right for you to fear him. So
when Zaid had accomplished what he would of her, then We gave her in marriage to
you, so that there should not be any fault in the believers, touching the wives of their
adopted sons, when they have accomplished what they would of them; and Allah’s
commandment must be performed. There is no fault in the prophet, touching what
Allah had ordained for him."

Zainab bint Jahsh was married to Mohammed’s adopted son, until Mohammed spoke
the Sura that she was to divorce his son and marry Mohammed. Zainab "used to
boast before the other wives of the Prophet and used to say, ‘Allah married me (to
the Prophet) in the Heavens.’" Bukhari vol.9 book 93 ch.22 no.517 p.382. Also vol.9
book 92 ch.22 no.516,518 p.381-383; al-Tabari vol.9 p.133. In other words, in the
eternally existing uncreated Qur’an in heaven, Zainab’s marriage was mentioned.

"One day Muhammad went out looking for Zaid (Mohammed's adopted son). Now
there was a covering of hair cloth over the doorway, but the wind had lifted the
covering so that the doorway was uncovered. Zaynab was in her chamber,
undressed, and admiration for her entered the heart of the Prophet". (The History of
al-Tabari, vol. 8, p. 4)

Narrated by Yunis, narrated by Ibn Wahab, narrated by Ibn Zaid who said, "The
prophet -pbuh- had married Zaid son of Haritha to his cousin Zainab daughter of
Jahsh. One day the prophet -pbuh- went seeking Zaid in his house, whose door had
a curtain made of hair. The wind blew the curtain and the prophet saw Zainab in her
room unclothed and he admired her in his heart. When Zainab realized that the
prophet desired her SHE BEGAN TO HATE ZAID. English translation of al-Tabari's
Arabic Commentary on Sura 33:37:

Zainab of Jahsh had a brother who died before her. Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2292 p.624

Alleged statement that Zaid first divorced his wife Zainab just so that Mohammed
might marry her. al-Tabari vol.39 p.180-182

Zainab bint Jahsh died when she was 53 years old. al-Tabari vol.39 p.182

Zainab (unspecified) Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2641,2642 p.575,576.

Zainab bint Jahsh should not be confused with Zainab who was Abu Sa’id al-Khudri’s
wife. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2031 p.223

Zainab [verbally] abused A’ishah, so Mohammed told A’ishah to abuse her. "…The
Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) came upon me [A’ishah] while Zainab
daughter of Jahsh was with us. He began to do something with his hand. I signaled to
him until I made him understand about her. So he stopped. Zainab came on and
began to abuse ‘A’ishah. She prevented her, but she did not stop. So he (the
Prophet) said to ‘A’ishah : Abuse her. Then she abused her and dominated her.
Zainab then went to ‘Ali and said : ‘A’ishah abused you and did (such and such).
Then Fatimah came (to the Prophet) and he said to her : She is favourite of your
father, by the Lord of the Ka’bah! She then returned and said to them : I said to him
such and such, and he said to me such and such. Then ‘Ali came to the Prophet
(may peace be upon him) and spoke to him about that." Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4880
p.1364-1365

In the Bible Malachi vol.2 no.16 says that God hates divorce.

7. Juwairiya/yya/yah bint Hareth (captive)

Juwairiya bint Harith/al-Harith was a captive. Bukhari vol.3 book 46 ch.13 no.717
p.431-432. Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.2349 p.520 says that Mohammed attacked the
Bani Mustaliq tribe without any warning while they were heedlessly grazing their
cattle. Juwairiya was a daughter of the chief. Sahih Muslim vol.3 no.4292 p.942 and
Abu Dawud vol.2 no.227 p.728 and al-Tabari vol.39 p.182-183 also say
Juwairiya/Juwairiyyah was captured in a raid on the Banu Mustaliq tribe. She had
been married to Musafi’ bin Safwan, who was killed in battle.

Mohammed’s wife Jawairyiyah used to be named Barrah. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1498
p.392. However, Bukhari vol.8 book 72 ch.107 no.212 p.137; Abu Dawud vol.3
no.4935 p.1377-1378 say Zainab’s name used to be Barrah.

Juwayriyyah bint al-Harith bin Abi Birar bin Habib, great grandson of Jadhimah al-
Mustaliq of the Khuza’ah group, was taken as booty when Muslims raided the al-
Mustaliq tribe. Her husband, Musafi’ bin Safwan Dhu al-Shuir bin Abi Asrb bin Malik
bin Jadhimah was killed in the battle. She was a prisoner of war who agreed to marry
Mohammed. al-Tabari vol.39 p.182-183; al-Tabari vol.9 p.133.

Juwayriyyah was captured at the Battle of al-Muraysi [against the Banu Mustaliq]. al-
Tabari vol.39 p.183

Juwayriyya married Mohammed when she was 20 years old. al-Tabari vol.39 p.184

8. Omm/Umm Habiba
Umm Habiba was the daughter of Abu Sufyan al-Tabari vol.9 p.133; Sahih Muslim
vol.2 no.3413 p.739; vol.2 no.2963 p.652; Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.1581 p.352; vol.2
no.3539 p.776 Ibn-i-Majah vol.5 no.3974 p.302; al-Tabari vol.17 p.88

Umm Habiba was 23 years younger than Mohammed. Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 #60 p.127

Umm Habiba and her first husband ‘Ubaydallah were Muslims who went to Abyssinia.
’Ubaydallah converted to Christianity. al-Tabari vol.39 p.177

Mention of Zainab bint Jahsh. al-Tabari vol.39 p.180-182

Umm Habiba, wife of Mohammed should not be confused with another woman was
also named Umm Habiba. She was the daughter of Jahsh, wife of ‘Abd al-Rahman
and sister-in-law of Mohammed, since Zainab of Jahsh was his wife. Abu Dawud
vol.1 no.288 p.73

9. Safiya/Safiyya/Saffiya (captive)
Safiya bint Huyai/Huyayy was a captive Mohammed married after slaughtering her
father, brother, husband and the men at Khaibar, according to Bukhari vol.2 book 14
ch.5 no.68 p.35; vol.4 book 52 ch.74 no.143 p.92; vol.4 book 52 ch.168 no.280 p.175
and al-Tabari vol.39 p.185.

Safiyah’s husband was named Sallam bin Mishkam bin al-Hakam bin Harithah bin al-
Khazraj bin Ka’b bin Khazraj. al-Tabari vol.9 p.134-135.

Safiyyah was called Safi, for the first share of the booty, which went to Mohammed.
Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2988 p.848; Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2985-2989 and footnote 2406
p.846-849

Safiyya was purchased by Mohammed for seven slaves. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2272
p.357. She was 17 when Mohammed married her. al-Tabari vol.39 p.184

Mohammed felt kindness toward Safiyya. "If Safiyyah were not grieved, I would have
left him [her husband whom Mohammed executed] until the birds and beasts of prey
would have eaten him, and he would have been resurrected from their bellies." Abu
Dawud vol.2 no.3130-3131 p.893

Physically, Safiyyah was short. Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4857 p.1359

There was discord between wives. Zainab did not want to loan a camel to Safiyya
when Mohammed asked her to. Zainab called Safiyya a "Jewess" Abu Dawud vol.3
no.4588 p.1293

Mohammed had nine wives at one time, including Safiyya bint Huyayy, and later he
did not give her a "turn". Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3455-3456 p.749

This wife of Mohammed is also mentioned in Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3325; vol.2
no.2783 p.605; vol.2 no.3118 p.678; vol.2 no.3497 p.761; Bukhari vol.3 book 33 ch.8-
13 no.251-255 p.139-143; vol.2 book 21 ch.22 no.255 p.143; Ibn-i-Majah vol.3
no.1779 p.72; Abu Dawud vol.2 no.2464 p.681; al-Tabari vol.39 p.169

Safiya bint Abi 'Ubaid Mohammed’s wife in Bukhari vol.4 book 52 ch.136 no.244
p.151 is probably the same person.

10. Maimuna/Maymuna bint Harith/Hareth

Sahih Muslim vol.1 no.1671,1674,1675 p.368-369; vol.2 no.1672 p.369.

Mohammed married Maymunah bt. Al-Harith in 7 A.H. while Mohammed was in a

state of ritual purity on the journey to Mecca. al-Tabari vol.8 p.136; al-Tabari vol.9
p.135

Maymuna had been divorced once, and widowed before marrying Mohammed. al-
Tabari vol.39 p.185. Maymuna was 80/81 when she died. al-Tabari vol.39 p.186

Maimuna was 30 years old when the 53-year old Mohammed married her.
Mohammed died four years later. Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 #43 p.120

Mainuma bint al-Harith had a slave girl. She asked Mohammed if she could free her,
and Mohammed said instead to give her to Maimuna’s sister to take care of her.
Muwatta’ Malik 54.4.9

Maimuna, Mohammed’s wife, screened Mohammed Bukhari vol.1 book 5 ch.22

no.279 p.170-171. People were screened when they bathed or went to the bathroom.
Nothing was wrong with that though, for she was his wife.

‘Ata bin Yasar was a man who was a client of Maymunah. al-Tabari vol.39 p.317
Slaves: Maimuna’s freed slave girl was given a sheep, which later died. Ibn-i-Majah
vol.5 no.3610 p.93

This wife of Mohammed is also mentioned in: Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2408 p.435;
Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.809 p.492; vol.2 no.1124 p.108; Abu Dawud vol.1 no.1351
p.356; vol.1 no.1359,1360,1362 p.357; Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.243 p.229.

11. Fatima/Fatema/Fatimah (briefly)

Fatima was mentioned by ‘Ali Dashti. al-Tabari vol.9 p.39 states that Mohammed
briefly married Fatimah bint al-Dahhak bin Sufyan (also called al-Kilabiyyah).

Mohammed married Fatimah bint Shurayh/Sara’. al-Tabari vol.9 p.139. It is unclear if

Shuray and al-Dahhak were two different people, making this two Fatimas, or they
were alternate names for the same father.

Mention of Fatimah bin al-Dahhabi, Aliya bint Zahyah, Sana bint Sufyan al-Tabari
vol.39 p.186

Mohammed consummated his marriage with "the Kilabiyyah" (i.e. from the Kilabi
tribe). This would be Fatimah bint al-Dahhak bin Sufyan or ‘Aliyah bint Zabyan bin
‘Amr bin ‘Awf or Sana bint Sufyan bin ‘Awf. al-Tabari vol.39 p.187

Fatima, Mohammed’s daughter is different

The following could be Mohammed’s wife, but was probably his daughter. In the year
of the conquest of Mecca, Fatima screened Mohammed. Ibn-i-Majah vol.1 no.465
p.255 and Sunan Nasa’i vol.1 no.228 p.224; vol.1 no.417 p.307

A Fatima screened Mohammed while he was bathing in Bukhari vol.1 book 5 ch.22
no.278 p.170-171. However, Mohammed was taking a bath and was screened by his
daughter Fatima in Bukhari vol.4 book 53 ch.29 no.396 p.263. Fatima was
Mohammed's daughter and the wife of 'Ali in Bukhari vol.3 book 34 chg.29 no.302
p.171; Bukhari vol.4 book 53 ch.1 no.325 p.208.

Mohammed did not want ‘Ali to marry anyone else besides his daughter Fatima. Ibn-
i-Majah vol.3 no.1998-1999 p.202-204. However, ‘Ali later had a captive slave girl,
the daughter of Rab’iah, who bore him a daughter name Umm Ruqayyah. al-Tabari
vol.11 p.66.

Wanted a slave: While Mohammed gave many slaves to A’isha, Fatima thought she
got a bad deal. Mohammed’s daughter Fatima complained to Mohammed about her
using the grinding stone and asked for a slave (prisoner of war). Mohammed did not
give her one, but he said he gave her something better. He told her to say glory be to
Allah 33 times, Praise be to Allah 34 times, and Allah is most great 34 times. Abu
Dawud vol.3 no.5044-5045 p.1405
 12. Hend/Hind (widow)
Hend/Hind was formerly married to Abu Sufyan, who was a very stingy man,
according to Sahih Muslim vol.3 no.4251-4254 p.928-929.

13. Sana bint Asma’ / al-Nashat

Mohammed married al-Nashat bint Rifa’ah of the Banu Kilab bin Rabi’ah, allies of
the Qurayzah. Some called her Sana bint Asma’ bin al-Salt al-Sulamiyyah; while
others say Sana bint Asma’ bin al-Salt of the Banu Harm. However, she died before
the Prophet consummated his marriage with her. She was also called Sana. al-
Tabari vol.9 p.135-136. al-Tabari vol.39 p.166 says the same thing about Sana bint
al-Salt.

14. Zainab/Zaynab bint Khozayma/Khuzaima

This Zainab belonged to the tribe of Banu Hilal. She was divorced from a Muslim
named Tufayl, then married his brother ‘Ubaydah, who was killed at Badr. Then she
married Mohammed. She was born 595 A.D. and died in 626 A.D. at 31. See al-
Tabari vol.7 p.150 footnotes 215,216 and al-Tabari vol.39 p.163-164 for more info.

al-Tabari vol.9 p.138 also says she died while Mohammed was alive.

Mohammed married Zainab bint Khuzaima, but she died before he did. Sunan Nasa’i
vol.1 #64 p.129

15. Habla?
Habla is on Ali Dashti’s list, but I have not been able to independently verify this.

16. Divorced Asma’ bint Noman

Asma bint Noman, or Asma bint al-Nu’man bin Abi Al-Jawn, of the Kindah tribe, was
married to Mohammed, but the marriage was never consummated. al-Tabari vol.10
p.185 and footnote 1131 p.185.

Daughter of Al-Jaun / Jahal was married very briefly to Mohammed. Bukhari vol.7
book 63 no.181 p.131,132

On the other hand, al-Tabari vol.10 p.190 says that Al-Nu’man al-Jawn offered his
daughter to Mohammed, but Mohammed declined. Perhaps "declined" means
Mohammed divorced her before ever sleeping with her.

Mohammed married Asma bint al-Nu’man bin al-Aswad bin Sharahil. However, she
had leprosy, so Mohammed gave her money and divorced her. al-Tabari vol.9 p.137.
Why would he do that to a woman he loved?

‘Asma bint al-Nu’man was a widow Mohammed married Either Hafsa or A’isha tricked
‘Asma by telling her Mohammed would be pleased if she said she took refuge in
Allah from Mohammed. al-Tabari vol.39 p.188-190

Brief mention of ‘Asma bint Nu’man in al-Tabari vol.39 p.190.

Mohammed divorced one woman Mohammed because she took refuge in Allah from
Mohammed. He divorced another because she had leprosy. There is some mixup of
which name is with which case in al-Tabari vol.39 p.187.

17. Mary/Mariya the Copt/Christian

Mary was a wife [concubine] of Mohammed’s according to al-Tabari vol.9 p.141;
Sahih Muslim vol.4 footnote 2835. p.1351;. Mary the Copt gave birth to Mohammed’s
son Ibrahim in al-Tabari vol.9 p.39. He died when he was two years old. The Muslim
emissary Hatib b. Abi Balta’ah returned from al-Muqawqis [Egypt] with Mariya [Mary
the Copt], her sister Sirin, a female mule, sets of garments, and a eunuch. Hatib
invited them to become Muslims, and the two women did so [according to Tabari].
Mariyah was beautiful, and Mohammed sent her sister Sirin to Hassan b. Thabit. Sirin
and Hassan were the parents of ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Hassan. al-Tabari vol.8 p.66,131.

A Muslim might say Mohammed had to marry her because she was a gift from Egypt,
but her sister Sirin was also a gift, and he did not marry Sirin. Mary was a gift from
the governor of Alexandria. al-Tabari vol.39 p.193

It was claimed that Mary became a Muslim, but Mohammed still kept her as a slave
rather than a regular wife. al-Tabari vol.39 p.194

Mohammed "had intercourse with her [Mary] by virtue of her being his property." al-
Tabari vol.39 p.194. Footnote 845 explains, "That is, Mariyah was ordered to veil
herself as did the Prophet’s wives, but he did not marry her."

Mary the Copt died in 637/638 A.D. al-Tabari vol.39 p.22

18. Rayhana/Raihana/Rayhanah bint Zaid/Zayd

Rayhana was a Jewish captive from the Quraiza tribe. Mohammed offered to make
her a wife instead of a slave, but she decline and remained Jewish according to al-
Tabari vol.8 p.39. See also al-Tabari vol.9 p.137,141. However, the source in al-
Tabari vol.39 p.164-165 says Mohammed set her free and then married her.

Mohammed had two concubines: Mariya bint Sham’un the Copt, and Rayhanah bint
Zayd al-Quraziyyah of the Banu al-Nadir. al-Tabari vol.9 p.141. Mariya was an um
walid of Mohammed according to al-Tabari vol.13 p.58.
 19. Divorced Omm/Umm Sharik / Ghaziyyah bint
Jabir
Omm/Umm Sharik is the same person as Ghaziyyah bint Jabir in al-Tabari vol.9
p.139. She was called "Umm Sharik" because she was the mother of a son named
Sharik by a previous marriage.

"When the Prophet went to her he found her to be an old woman, so he divorced
her." al-Tabari vol.9 p.139. However footnote 922 says Ibn Sa’d in Tabaqat, 8 p.110-
112 "gives a different account and lists her among the women to whom the Prophet
proposed but did not marry. It was she who gave herself to the Prophet and the
Qur’anic verse 33:50 refers to her."

20. Maymuna / Maimuna

Maimuna was a woman who offered herself to Mohammed according to Sahih
Muslim vol.2 footnote 1919. It could be the same Maimuna as 10, or a different one.
Married in 7 .H.

An unnamed woman said she gave herself to Mohammed as a wife. Mohammed did
not accept her, but gave her to a poor Muslim. The only thing the poor Muslim could
give as a dowry is his memorization of a sura of the Qur’an. Muwatta’ Malik 28.3.8

21. Zaynab/Zainab the Third?

Ali Dashti lists this wife, but I have not found independent evidence of this.

22. Khawla / Khawlah bint al-Hudayl

It is said that Mohammed married Khawlah bint al-Hudayl. al-Tabari vol.9 p.139.
She was a wife of Mohammed’s according to al-Tabari vol.39 p.166

23. Divorced Mulaykah bint Dawud

Mohammed married (married is the word in the text) Mulaykah bint Dawud al-
Laythiyyah, but when she was told that Mohammed was the one who had her father
killed, she took refuge in Allah from Mohammed. So Mohammed separated from her.
al-Tabari vol.8 p.189. The same thing is told of Mulaykah bint Ka’b (who is likely the
same person) in al-Tabari vol.39 p.165

Mulaykah bint Ka’b was married very briefly to Mohammed. A’isha asked her if she
wanted to marry the man who killed her husband. She "took refuge in God" from
Mohammed, so Mohammed divorced her. al-Tabari vol.39 p.165
 24. Divorced al-Shanba’ bint ‘Amr
Mohammed married al-Shanba’ bint ‘Amr al-Ghifariyyah; her people were allies of
the banu Qurayza. When Ibrahim died, she said that if he were a true prophet his son
would not have died. Mohammed divorced her before consummating his marriage
with her. al-Tabari vol.9 p.136

25. Divorced al-‘Aliyyah

Mohammed stayed a while with ‘Aliyyah bint Zabyan bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf bin Ka’b, then
divorced her. al-Tabari vol.39 p.188

Mohammed married al-‘Aliyyah, but then divorced her. She died while Mohammed
was still alive al-Tabari vol.9 p.138.

26. Divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid

Mohammed divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid because she had leprosy. al-Tabari vol.39
p.188

Mohammed married ‘Amrah bint Yazid (no mention of divorce) al-Tabari vol.9 p.139.

Mohammed divorced ‘Amra. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2054 p.233 vol.3 no.2030 p.226
(daif [weak], not Sahih)

Mohammed divorced a woman because she had leprosy. al-Tabari vol.39 p.187

27. Divorced an Unnamed Woman

Mohammed divorced an unnamed woman because she would peek at those leaving
the mosque. al-Tabari vol.39 p.187

28. Qutaylah bint Qays (died right away)

Mohammed married Qutaylah bint Qays but she died before they consummated the
marriage. Curiously, it also says he and her brother apostacized form Islam. So she
must have apostacized after the marriage and before her death perhaps? al-Tabari
vol.9 p.138-139.

29. Sana bint Sufyan

Mention of Mohammed’s brief marriage with Sana bint Sufyan. al-Tabari vol.39
p.188
 30. Sharaf bint Khalifah
Mohammed married Sharaf bint Khalifah, sister of Dihyah bin Lhalifah al-Kalbi, but
she died while Mohammed was still alive. al-Tabari vol.9 p.138

31. Women of Mohammed’s Right Hand

"…abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the
captives) whom their right hands possess - for (in their case) they are free from
blame," Sura 23:5-6. See also Sura 4:24

"He [Mohammed] replied, ‘Conceal your private parts except from your wife and from
whom your right hands possess (slave-girls).’" Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4006 p.1123

Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4443-4445 p.1244 shows that having sex with a slave-girl a man
owns is fine, but a man will be flogged for having sex with his wife’s slave-girl.

As was typical of wealthy Arab men, Mohammed apparently had need of a few slave
girls too. See Bukhari vol.7 book 64 ch.6 no.274 p.210.

Salmah for was a maid-servant of Mohammed. Abu Dawud vol.3 no.3849 p.1084

Maimuna was the freed slave girl of Mohammed. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2531 p.514;
Abu Dawud vol.1 no.457 p.118

Mohammed briefly had a "very beautiful" captive before he gave her to Mahmiyah b.
Jaz’ al-Zubaydi. al-Tabari vol.8 p.151

One of the slave girls belonging to Mohammed house committed fornication with
someone else. It is the "someone else" part that was a problem. Abu Dawud vol.3
no.4458 p.1249

Mohammed called a black slave-girl to come and conceal Abu Dharr behind a curtain
while he was taking a bath. Abu Dawud vol.1 no.332 p.87

Mention Umm Ayman (=Barakah), a client (slave-girl) of the prophet. al-Tabari vol.39
p.287

Mohammed definitely had a sense of humor. Umm Ayman, the Prophet’s client [i.e.
slave whom it was lawful for him to spend the night with]. According to al-Husayn …
Umm Ayman: [One] night the Prophet got up and urinated in the corner of the house
into an earthenware vessel. During the night I got up, and being thirsty, I drank what
was in the vessel, not noticing [anything]. When the Prophet got up in the morning he
said ‘O Umm Ayman, take that earthenware vessel and pour away its content.’ I said
‘By God, I drank what was in it.’ The Prophet laughed until his molar teeth showed,
then said ‘After this you will never have a bellyache.’" al-Tabari vol.39 p.199

In general, Abu Dawud vol.3 no.4443-4445 p.1244 teaches that having sex with a
slave-girl a man owns is OK, but a man will be flogged for having sex with his wife’s
slave-girl.

But, having sex with a wife’s slave girl is OK if the wife made her lawful for him. Note
that he did not have to be married to the slave girl. Ibn-i-Majah vol.4 no.2551 p.12

Mohammed Turned Some Women Down!

A’isha felt jealous of the women who offered themselves to Mohammed [as wives].
Sahih Muslim vol.2 no.3453 p.748. But it was OK that a woman offered herself to
Mohammed. Ibn-i-Majah vol.3 no.2000-2001 p.304-305

Some thought Mohammed married al-Ash’ath, but al-Tabari says that is false
according to al-Tabari vol.39 p.190i. (Overall, al-Tabari did a masterful job of trying to
keep up with all of Mohammed’s women.)

Some Women Turned Mohammed Down

Mohammed asked to marry Ghaziyyah on account of her beauty, but she declined.
Tabari claims she was in a state of infidelity but provides no evidence. al-Tabari vol.9
p.136. There is no evidence she was unfaithful and Mohammed was lax in not
punishing her, or that she was and Mohammed punished her.

Layla clapped Mohammed’s shoulder from behind and asked him to marry her.
Mohammed accepted. Layla’s people said, "’What a bad thing you have done! You
are a self-respecting woman, but the Prophet is a womanizer. Seek an annulment
from him.’ She went back to the Prophet and asked him to revoke the marriage and
he complied with [her request]." al-Tabari vol.9 p.139

From to al-Tabari vol.9 p.140-141, Mohammed proposed marriage to, but ended up
not marrying:

1) Umm Hani’ bin Abi Talib [Hind] because she said she was with child.

2) Duba’ah bint ‘Amir but she was too old.

3) Reportedly he proposed to Saffiyah bint Bashshamah, a captive. She was allowed

to choose between Mohammed and her husband, and she chose her husband.

4) Umm Habib bint al-‘Abbas but since al-‘Abbas was his foster brother so it would
not have been lawful so Mohammed backed out.

5) Jamrah bint Al-Harith. Her father falsely claimed she was suffering from
something. When he returned, he found that she had already been afflicted with
leprosy.

It is inconsistent on whether Umm Hani’ became a Muslim before or after Mohammed

asked her to marry him. al-Tabari vol.39 p.197 and footnote 857 p.197

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 Does the Quran permit sexual relations outside of marriage?

Sam Shamoun

Recently, we have been engaged in some online debates with Muslims, specifically Osama
Abdallah, regarding the Quran permitting a form of prostitution called Muta. Refer to these
articles (*, *, *) for details.

Osama had challenged us to show from the Holy Bible where divorced women were
prohibited from having sexual relations outside the confines of marriage. That challenge was
fully addressed in the above linked articles so we encourage the readers to go there and read
the evidence for themselves.

Osama, in an audio file response to an Arabic Christian debater Christian Prince (*), also
claimed that the Quran forbids female Muslim slave owners from sleeping with their male
slaves:

Also Allah almighty allowed only sex to be done with the female right hand possessions from
out of all of the right hand possessions which include male, males, females, and animals; and
other objects like furniture, for instance, or weapons, or, or objects that could be used, for
instance, for sex, you know I don’t want to get graphic but you get the picture, where small
objects could be used for sexual pleasures. These are all, ah, right hand possessions. But God
almighty in the noble Quran made it clear that out of the right hand possessions, only females
are allowed to be, to have, for the Muslims to have sex with them. And only the male
Muslims, not the female, ohm, Muslim masters. And not, and certainly the female Muslim
masters are not allowed to have sex with the, with the male slaves. (Audio source)

What makes this truly interesting is that many Muslims cite S. 23:5-6 to prove that women
must remain chaste and need to be married before they can engage in sexual intimacy, but fail
to adequately address what these verses actually say. If one were to read the context of these
citations one would immediately realize that these citations are expressly permitting both
Muslim men and women to have sex as much as they want without requiring them to first get
married:

Successful indeed are the believers, Who are humble in their prayers, And who keep aloof
from what is vain, And who are givers of poor-rate, And who guard their private parts,
Except before their mates (azwajihim) or those whom their right hands possess, for they
surely are not blameable, But whoever seeks to go beyond that, these are they that exceed the
limits; S. 23:1-7 Shakir

The reference to "their mates" includes both the males and the females, i.e. to the husbands
and wives of the believers. The word zawaj can refer to either spouse and it is not gender
specific. Notice how the late A. Yusuf Ali translated this word:

Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right
hands possess, - for (in their case) they are free from blame, S. 23:6

The late Muslim scholar Muhammad Asad wrote in reference to S. 23:6:

Lit., "or those whom their right hands possess" (aw ma malakat aymanuhum). Many of the
commentators assume unquestioningly that this relates to female slaves, and that the particle
aw ("or") denotes a permissible alternative. This interpretation is, in my opinion, inadmissible
inasmuch as it is based on the assumption that sexual intercourse with ones female slave is
permitted without marriage: an assumption, which is contradicted by the Quran itself (see 4:
3, 24, 25 and 24: 32, with the corresponding notes). Nor is this the only objection to the
above-mentioned interpretation. Since the Quran applies the term ‘‘believers" to men and
women alike, and since the term azwaj ("spouses"), too, denotes both the male and the
female partners in marriage, there is no reason for attributing to the phrase ma
malakat aymanuhum the meaning of "their female slaves"; and since, on the other hand,
it is out of the question that female and male slaves could have been referred to here it is
obvious that this phrase does not relate to slaves at all, but has the same meaning as in 4: 24 -
namely, "those whom they rightfully possess through wedlock (see note on 4: 24) - with the
significant difference that in the present context this expression relates to both husbands and
wives, who "rightfully possess" one another by virtue of marriage. On the basis of this
interpretation, the particle aw which precedes this clause does not denote an alternative ("or")
but is, rather, in the nature of an explanatory amplification, more or less analogous to the
phrase "in other words" or "that is", thus giving to the whole sentence the meaning, "save
with their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]", etc. (Cf. a
similar construction 25: 62 - "for him who has the will to take thought -that is [lit., "or"], has
the will to be grateful".) (Asad, fn. 3; source; bold emphasis ours)

Asad acknowledges that the term azwaj or zawaj are inclusive terms which refer to either
spouse, not just to the wives of the men.

Another Muslim source agrees with Asad:

Commentary: "Azwaj" is the plural of "Zauj" that is a pair. This is the reason that in Arabic
it applies to both, masculine as well as feminine. Man is the Zauj of woman and woman is the
Zauj of a man... (Riyad-us-Saliheen, compiled by Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf
An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi, commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, revised by M.R. Murad
[Darussalam Publishers & Distributors, Riyadh, Houston, New York, Lahore, First Edition:
June 1999], Volume 2, Book Fourteen - The Book of Supplicating Allah to Exalt the Mention
of Allah's Messenger (phuh), Chapter 243: The Obligation of Supplicating Allah to Exalt His
Mention and its Excellence, and its Manner, Number 1407, p. 1042, source)

What this basically means is that this text is explicitly allowing even women to have sexual
relations with slaves that they own. Thus, we have a clear statement from Allah permitting
women to engage in sexual relations outside the confines of marriage.

This isn’t merely our understanding of the reference, since one Muslim narration even admits
that this is how certain Muslims understood it:

Qatadah said, "A woman slept with her male slave so they brought her to Umar. And they
told him she understood verse 23:6 to say that, so Umar shaved the male slave head and let
her go after expelling the slave from Madina and said the woman shouldn’t marry any one
after that." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Sura 23:6; online source; bold and underline emphasis ours)

Notice the passage that was cited to justify what the woman had done with her male slave.
They clearly understood Sura 23:6 to be permitting even the women to enjoy sexual intimacy
with their slaves without being required to marry them. Now how did Umar respond? Did he
use a Quranic verse to refute them or did he simply forbid them from engaging in sexual
relations even though they cited a Quranic text to support their case? Which holds more
authority, the Quran or Umar’s arbitrary interpretations and decrees?

As it stands, this passage is formulated gender neutral, i.e. it applies to both male and female
believers, and thus indeed permits Muslim men and Muslim women to have sex with those
whom their right hands possess without needing to be married first.

The Bible is clear. Sexual relations are only allowed within marriage. For Islam there remains
a final question: Why would sexual intercourse with a male slave be a sin for a woman
although it is taken for granted that Muslim men have the right to have sexual relations with
their slave women without having to marry them?

Following Umar, many Muslims today may want to restrict the permission for immorality to
Muslim men, but the Quran allows sexual relations outside of marriage for both sexes.